SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (June 10, 2025) – After receiving a unanimous House vote in April, the Illinois Senate passed House Bill 2688 in a 51-7 vote, expanding the capabilities of certified nurse midwives to address the issue of maternity healthcare deserts.
WAND-TV reports if passed by Governor JB Pritzker, House Bill 2688 would amend the Nurse Practice Act. In cases where local physicians do not offer at-home maternity services, certified nurse midwives would be permitted to provide home birth services if they have been granted clinical privileges from a birth center, doctors or other healthcare providers. Proponents of the bill say it would help mothers throughout the state, as 34.3% of counties in Illinois are considered “maternity healthcare deserts,” March of Dimes reports.
But with their expanded roles, there comes the risk of liability in the case of a medical error. The bill states that advanced practice nurses and certified midwives could be held liable in cases of a birth injury, as opposed to the physician who signed the written agreement. However, the physician could be named a defendant in cases where there is reasonable belief that the certified nurse midwives lacked competency to perform maternity services at home or committed misconduct.
Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) told WAND-TV, “this legislation modernizes the rules for providers to give residents greater access to healthcare in our community.” reported WAND News.
